Social atmosphere at Rowes Bay brings John out of his shell

For Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay Retirement Village resident, John, Townsville has always been the place he came back to. It was the place he joined the Royal Australian Air Force, it was where he was discharged after 22 years of service and it was where his two sons were born.

However, it is the perspective he has now that he is living in the Rowes Bay Retirement Village that has really made it home for him.

“I travelled all over Australia, but Townsville was always where I was going to settle,” he said.

“Finding the Rowes Bay community has been a blessing for a lot of reasons.”

Once a reserved man who was not interested in talking to people, John is now serving his third run as the Resident Committee President.

“That is one thing I really appreciate about this place, it’s brought me out of my shell and helped me learn how to talk to people and relate to others.

“While I’ve been here I’ve blossomed. Instead of being frightened to do things, I make more decisions and put myself out there.”

John and his wife Julie first came to look at the Rowes Bay community during an open day. At the time, there were no vacancies, so they put themselves on the waiting list. After a couple of years, they got the call that brought them to the village for good.

“We were invited out to the Village the next day, and told that if we liked the unit, it was ours! That was about nine years ago now.”

The social life at Rowes Bay keeps John busy with regular happy hours, the gym, pool, indoor bowls, snooker and the community veggie garden just some of the ways people come together at the Village.

“You can be as involved or not involved as you like, and you know you have someone next door if you need it. Plus, if you walk across the road, you can sit on the beach. It’s a good spot we’ve got here!

“Our Village Manager Stephen is magic, he’s so good with the people and Hayley, the administration assistant is worth her weight in gold. They support all of us residents, and they love getting involved.”